Realestock Blog

With property prices going up and the push to denser, more urban living, the baby boomer dream of living in a sprawling suburban rancher is not only out of date, it’s undesirable for many people. Small space living has many benefits – less cleaning, cozier, more intimate spaces and central locations, but it can have many drawbacks too. Too much stuff can make a home look cluttered, overstuffed, dark and messy, but not everyone wants to live in a sparse, ultramodern condo where the only “colour” is grey. Small spaces don’t need to be empty, they just need to be organized!If you’re blessed with a small space, there are plenty of resources online to help you create a home that’s harmonious, well decorated and inspiring. We’ve compiled the ultimate list of small space tips that will help inspire you, no matter what your personal taste might be. 

1. Lighting REALLY Matters:

A dark room can be cosy – or it can be claustrophobic. When you have small rooms to work with, bringing in light can really open them up. Soft light from lamps (keep your shades scaled to the room) and windows can fill a room with light, and recessed and track lighting makes the most of limited space. 

2. Colour:

Many people will say dark colours are totally inappropriate for small spaces, but for everyone who tells you not to go bold in a small space, there are two examples that will refute that rule. The important thing to remember in a small space is that a little goes a LONG way, and no matter how you decorate, and what colours you choose, the look should be consistent throughout the space – this tricks the eye by making all the spaces blend together, giving the impression of one larger space, rather than many small ones. While dark colours and intricate designs can overpower a small wall, a large bold piece of artwork, or bright accents on pillows and rugs can make a room pop and add much needed personality and visual interest. A house of white and cream may look larger, but it won’t be very interesting to many people.

3. Kill your Clutter:

As a person on a one-lady quest against needless clutter, this is a personal topic for me. Too many small things crammed into a space makes you think that the room just can’t hold everything in it. Cutting clutter doesn’t mean you can’t display the things you love – it just might mean you can’t do it all at once. Try:

o Rotating you collections. Change up what you have displayed according to the season, or even your moodso Storing out of site. A neatly labeled box holds DVDs and video games just as well as a shelf. Bonus – storage doesn’t have to be plain – choose bright boxes to inject fun and colour into your décor.

o Edit! Consider replacing three small knickknacks with one large décor piece. There’s nothing wrong with only keeping pieces your really love for your small space! Even if your aunt did give you an expensive (but not particularly nice vase for Christmas) there’s no reason to display it if you don’t actually like it.

o Review all your possessions twice a year to make sure you’re only holding onto the things that you actually use or love. There is no shame with selling unwanted things on craigslist or donating them to a charity if you want them out of your house.

o Ditch artificial flowers. They look tacky, they pick up dust and are better replaced with real plants or flowers.

o Say goodbye to having too much stuff! Cramming too much furniture into a small space can make it seem like a storage area instead of a home. Remember that stuff is just stuff – it’s not memories. Evaluate everything you have in your home and see if you could possibly live without it. Chances are you could!

4. Create Openness:

Many small apartments maximize space by having large mirrors on the walls. They reflect light and create an illusion of a much more open, much bigger space. Consider splurging on some mirrors for your own space to copy this effect. If you can, remove doors you rarely or never need to close – the door itself takes up space, and cuts the flow of the room. Something as simple as replacing heavy curtains with lighter ones in the spring and summer can make a room look lighter and more open.

5. Learn to Love Double Duty Furniture:

Small spaces mean that rooms have to serve double, or even triple purpose. Consider a sofa that pulls out so your living room can double as a guest bedroom. Use a vintage sideboard for an entertainment unit and use the drawers to store media and other items you don’t need to use every day.  Create a bench with storage underneath to double as seating and storage.

6. Maximize what you have:

Instead of filling your house with 6 small bookshelves, consider taking an entire wall and turning into into a storage area with floor to ceiling bookshelves, cubbyholes and places for everything. You’ll get rid of unnecessary furniture, and create more space for the things you want to hold on to.  Go vertical by putting up high shelves to store books and items you don’t need often.

7. Scale Furniture and Appliances appropriately:

Not enough space in your tiny kitchen? Consider buying a small fridge or stove, or even ditching the microwave to open up space. Bigger isn’t always better in a small space – furniture that’s too big or crammed into too small an area just looks muddled and hinders your ability to physically move around it.

Photos & Inspiration: Apartment Therapy; Re-Nest

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